General information
Computer networking has become an integral part of today’s business environment. The major in Networking and IT Security prepares graduates with theoretical and hands-on knowledge and skills in planning, designing, installing, operating, managing, and securing information technology infrastructure. In addition to the technical courses, the core curriculum includes mandatory courses in business and management, providing students with the necessary business background and technological skills to make significant contributions in today’s workplace.
The coursework prepares graduates to manage the continuing changes and challenges of the IT profession. The program helps prepare graduates to attempt for two levels of the Cisco certification program, namely, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE®) will be offered as a technical elective. The program also helps graduates for the following security certificates: Security+, CCNA Security, and the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). Students may take the required business courses to obtain a minor in Marketing or Operations Management.
Admission requirements
Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.
Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U) with a recommended minimum average of 60 per cent and one of Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U) with a recommended minimum average of 60 per cent or Computer Science (ICS4U) with a recommended average of 70 per cent. All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission.
Internship program
Internship provides the students with the opportunity to obtain paid on-the-job experience with businesses locally and globally. FBIT students apply classroom concepts in a real-world environment and gain valuable and relevant work experience to promote networking and life-long career success. They will also bring their work experience back to the classroom and enrich the learning environment for themselves and their classmates.
Participating employers are given the opportunity to bring the motivated learners, thinkers, and doers of tomorrow into their workplaces, as well as provide valuable mentoring to interns.
Ontario Tech University has a detailed policy document for Internships, Co-ops and Practicum opportunities. Students should review this document (link) before considering and starting an internship at FBIT.
The University policy framework sets the minimum requirements and in addition to these points, FBIT has the following important requirements for its internship program.
FBIT internship requirements:
- Internships are at least 4 months of full-time work (usually 480 hours or more) and maximum of 4 semesters or 16 months.
- Internships are paid work placements. The intern’s wages (stipulated in a contract) are paid by the sponsoring business over the internship.
- Students participating in an internship program may enroll in one course (3 credits) per semester. This course must not interfere with the internship schedule outlined by the employer and students may be asked to provide written confirmation from the employer confirming a lack of conflict.
- Students may secure their own internship opportunity with an employer. However, the FBIT Experiential Learning office must approve the opportunity before anything is finalized and the work term is initiated.
- Successful internship completion and a satisfactory verbal and/or written reports throughout the semester will result in the intern receiving a letter grade and three credit hours (XBIT4600) toward their undergraduate degree requirements.
- Students may do a second internship while in the program and the second internship opportunity will count as an elective course (XBIT4610).
- Undergraduate students must return for one semester of full-time studies after their internship before graduation (internship cannot be their final semester).
- Students in the Co-op program are not eligible for internships.
Note: For international internships, the students must coordinate closely with the Experiential Learning office at FBIT before finalizing any details.
FBIT requirements for acceptance into internship (above and beyond University requirements):
- Completion of 54 credit hours (Third year standing) with at least a 2.3 cGPA and the following additional program specific course requirements:
- BCom all majors EXCEPT Technology Management: at least 30 credit hours of BUSI courses
- BCom Technology Management major: at least 30 credit hours of BUSI and INFR courses
- BIT Technology Management: at least 30 credit hours of BUSI and INFR courses
- BIT Game Development and Interactive Media: at least 30 credit hours of INFR courses
- BIT Networking and IT Security: at least 30 credit hours of INFR courses
- Clear academic standing
- Academic Misconduct: Students who have a major academic misconduct on file (i.e. sanctions imposed by the Dean and/or Academic Integrity Committee) are not eligible for Internship. Students with a major academic misconduct can apply for a waiver after one (1) year of the misconduct decision date. Decision for eligibility will be made by the Dean or Dean’s designate.
The University and Faculty provide numerous resources for students to find internships and succeed in their work placements. However, internship placements are competitive and not guaranteed.
Students are encouraged to review the information on the Faculty of Business and IT website (link) for the most up to date information regarding our experiential learning programs including Internship.
Program details and degree requirements
To be eligible for the honours Bachelor of Information Technology degree with a major in Networking and Information Technology Security, students must successfully complete 120 credit hours, including all courses outlined in the following program map.
Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings, please visit the faculty website at businessandit.ontariotechu.ca.
Electives
General elective
Students must select a minimum of two non-INFR, non-CSCI (computer science) related courses from any faculty, subject to credit restrictions.
Open elective
Students may enrol in any courses from any faculty as open electives, subject to credit restrictions. These courses may be either non-INFR/non-CSCI science courses or may include INFR/CSCI courses.
Technical elective
Students must select a minimum of two approved INFR/CSCI courses as technical electives. Details will be sent to their OntarioTechu.Net email accounts prior to registration and available in their schedule of classes.
